City's Independent Budget Analyst Issues Report on Proposed Mega Shelter
The City's Independent Budget Analyst ("IBA") has raised significant RED FLAGS about the Kettner and Vine Mega Shelter. Many of the same points WE have raised. IBA says it is overpriced, under resourced, does not align with the City's Community Action Plan on Homelessness. Improvements and Operations are not funded and puts the City's existing programs and services at risk. Will the City Council follow the Internal Auditor guidance?
If you would like a full copy of the full report please email us at
midmission92103@gmail.com
If you email us we will be able to keep you posted on the City Council's fluid meeting schedule. Since the IBA report major churn at the City. What to do? Turn down the Mayor and his influence or comply with the Audit guidance? ASH Street 2.0 is queued up. There they go again.
The IBA stated not all of the documentation was available for the IBA's review yet the Mayor is putting it before the City Council for a vote. The IBA said that this process was not subject to competitive bidding and the due diligence for the project may not be valid since the City is relying on the Land Owner's own due diligence and not conducting its independent City directed due diligence.
Urgent request PlEASE contact all Council persons and Mayor repeatedly to shape the eminent decision on this now debunked experimental proposal.
Here are suggested talking points. The email and phone contacts of City Council can be found at this link or on google. Also please consider the donation link.
This is the RED Zone for our efforts to oppose the Mega Shelter. Please stay close to this situation in the next few days. Your emails and calls can definitely make the difference.
Talking Points for your Emails and Calls.
The Kettner and Vine site is financially wrong, possesses significant safety concerns to those seeking help and the 25,000-30,000 commuters who use Kettner Blvd. everyday.
Homeless advocates are saying the congregate living of 1,000 people does and will not work.
The City is comparing this Kettner and Vine to projects in Texas and Arizona which serve less people and are exponentially larger than the proposed Kettner and Vine site. (Haven for Hope in Texas is 22 acres. Kettner and Vine is 65,000 sqft.)
This is not a solution to the existing problem using expensive facilities and risking existing City program and services.
The Office of the Independent Budget Analyst's report:
Raised many of the same points of concern which have been raised by the Middletown residents and community.
The Community has said this is a very expensive experiment and the independent budget office agrees. The City agrees to pay for rent and utilities as well as three other property expenses: property taxes, insurance (for both the City and landlord) and maintenance/repairs. Estimated to be $32,000 monthly (or about $390,000 annually). The City would also agree to pay for all necessary improvements to the building (HVAC, roofing and other needed property improvements), well over $8 million. Why doesn't the City want to maximize its resources in order to help more people and not put existing services at risk. The risk/reward is too high here.
The City does not have the funding for this project and its operations. This project puts existing programs and services of the City at greater risk.
As outlined in the report, the City Council also will not have all the facts when they cast their votes. Many documents were not available for review but the ones that were indicated this is not a fiscally responsible deal for the City.
So many other questions as well. Why was the City negotiating with an individual who does not even own the building? Why is the City Council being rushed to vote on something before all the facts are available? The City has been looking for warehouse sites for many years and less expensive, better facilities are available and budget office states no RFP was prepared so this contract award would lack competition. Too many unanswered questions that will have significant lasting impacts to the financial stability of the City.
Please carry this forward, create pressure and influence by contacting each Council Person. This is the moment to engage.
As soon as the Council announces the meeting agenda will advise and ask for your participation and support.
Sent from my iPad